Bananas, Broccoli, Beets, Beans

 

They all begin with the letter "B."

Bananas are a rich source of potassium. They tend to be one of the first solid foods babies are fed. Some people have texture issues with them. One of my favorite ways to eat a banana was with peanut butter smeared on it. Thanks to COVID, I can no longer tolerate the flavor of peanut butter! So I use almond butter or cashew butter instead. 

Broccoli tends to be one of those somewhat controversial foods, especially among children. I mean, come on! It's green! Who wants to eat something green? It's also a good source of potassium, as well as a rich source of vitamin C.

Then there are those beets! Talk about a controversial food! They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. They help protect your heart health, and your liver health. 

Beans are an excellent source of protein, and fiber. They are also excellent sources of copper, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. Most types of beans are rich sources of iron, too. 

Beans are easy to prepare. You do need to plan ahead a bit, if you're going to prepare them from dry beans. They should be soaked overnight. Then the next morning, put them into your crockpot or slow cooker, cover with water, and cook 4-6 hours. They are delicious with just salt, onion and garlic powders, or you can "doctor them up" a bit more, if you want.

Today I made a batch of beans: 

1 cup navy beans

1/2 cup pinto beans

1/2 cup kidney beans

1/2 cup baby lima beans (I used great northern)

1 medium onion, chopped

2-3 tsp. salt

3 Tbs. molasses

1/2 cup oil

Soak beans together overnight. Drain them the next morning, and put them in the slow cooker, with the onion in the bottom. Let them cook for a couple hours, add the salt, molasses and oil, and let them cook longer. You can also put them in a bean pot and bake them in the oven, at 300F for 3-4 hours. You can also add 1 or 2 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce, near the end of cooking.

Enjoy!

Can you think of any other foods beginning with the letter "B"? What is your favorite way to eat beets, or beans, or broccoli? Please share in the comments below.

April Blogging from A to Z Challenge

I'm attempting an experiment, when that I hope will give this blog a jumpstart. I hope you'll come along for the ride! I plan to post some health tips, exercise goals or progress, and maybe even a recipe or two (or more!)

 

One topic I will be sharing is the concept of God's "feel good secrets," if you will. They can best be remembered with an acronym: NEWSTART. If followed, they will help you have a new start in feeling better. I'll include them alphabetically as we go along.

What do you think that "A" stands for? Any guesses?

AIR!

We all need air to breathe, we know that. Fresh outdoor air is the best! (Really, how many places can you find fresh outdoor air these days? What with so much pollution and all) That's one of the advantages of living in the country, or even the suburbs.

I tend to take a walk most mornings, shortly after sunrise, so I can take some deep breaths of the fresh Florida country air. Watching the sun rise and hearing the bird chorus, combined with the exercise and fresh air help my mental health as well as my physical health.

If you can't get outside for exercise in the fresh air, you could at least take several deep breaths a few times a day. Fill your lungs, make that diaphragm work!

Please come back tomorrow; I'll be looking for you!

Newstart Now

November: Diabetes Awareness Month

As you may already know, November is Diabetes Awareness Month. If you've been following my blog, of my social media, for long, you may also know already that I usually post something about diabetes, especially Type 1, nearly daily throughout the month of November each year.

Today I will share some links to some articles that help explain the difference between Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Symptoms

The Difference Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Over on Instagram and Facebook, I also share a daily graphic from Project Blue November.

Here are the graphics from the first four days:

In addition, this month, I'm taking on 34 miles for the American Diabetes Association! My Fitbit tracker is a great help with that! I already have a total of 9 miles toward that!

October--I Took a Photo a Day for American Cancer Society

During the month of October I participated in a Facebook fundraiser, for the American Cancer Society. During the month, I took a photo a day. Below you will find my photos, not necessarily in the order they were posted on my Facebook.

Also during October, I had my radiation treatments. I only needed four. But I will have periodic check ups with the oncologist for the next two years.

This trio of pictures was on the wall of the exam room at the oncologist's office.

Sully was my parents' cat. We inherited him when they passed away. Jen says he has claimed ME as his person now.

These pictures were in the waiting room at the oncologist's office.

These were our photos from the solar eclipse.

Additional photos from the waiting room at the oncologist's office.

Thank you for journeying along with me!

Delicious Ways to Detoxify

Delicious Ways to Detoxify

Chickpea Omelet {recipe}

I am sill struggling to perfect this one! I don't know how thick the batter is supposed to be, but it always seems too thick to me. The recipe indicates it serves one, but I think it can easily serve two. Usually instead of being omelet-ish, it turns out more like scrambled! LOL

This morning when I made it, I forgot to put the salt in. (duh!) I don't use pepper (another of my allergies), and I didn't have the full amount of the nutritional yeast. I added peppers and onion to the batter. I piled diced tomato and avocado on top, with a drizzle of Cashew Jack Cheese to top it all off. It turned out rather tasty! Steven (my youngest son) doused his in ketchup! 

Print Recipe

Chickpea Omelet

This wonderful egg-free omelet is easy to make and is good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. From The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook. Find this recipe and more in the Forks Over Knives Recipe App.

Source: forksoverknives.com

Course: Breakfast

Main Ingredient: Legumes

Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup chickpea flour
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon white pepper
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon black pepper
• ¹⁄₃ cup nutritional yeast
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon baking soda
• 3 green onions (white and green parts) chopped
• 4 ounces sautéed mushrooms (optional)
• Optional toppings: Tomatoes spinach, salsa, hot sauce, microgreens

Directions

1. Combine the chickpea flour, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, black pepper, nutritional yeast, and baking soda in a small bowl. Add 1 cup water and stir until the batter is smooth.
2. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Pour the batter into the pan, as if making pancakes. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the green onions and mushrooms into the batter for each omelet as it cooks. Flip the omelet. When the underside is browned, flip the omelet again, and cook the other side for a minute.
3. Serve your amazing Chickpea Omelet topped with tomatoes, spinach, salsa, hot sauce, or whatever heart-safe, plant-perfect fixings you like.

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